Mechanical piano.



U. DRYVERS.

Patented 001.1111914.

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MECHANICAL PIANO.

APPLICATION FILED HAY 12, 1913.

1,1 1 3,889. PmenedA Oct. 13, 1914 Fig. 2 snnnTs-sHn1xI 2.

MHHv/'neys ltake-up roll does not URBAIN DRYVERS, OF-PARIS, FRANCE.

MECHANICAL PIANO.

Specification. of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 13, 1914.

Application led May 12, 1913. Serial N o. 767,152.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, URBAIN DRYvnRs, a subject of the King of Belgium, and a resident of Paris, France, (whose post-oltice address is 3 Rue des Immeubles Industriels, Paris, France,) have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanical Pianos, of which the following is a specitication.

The present invention `relates to an improvement in the roll box for mechanical player pianos, and particularly in a roll box adapted to be mounted in the piano casing and so arranged as to carry the tracker, take-up spool and note sheet supported in such position that the usual piano construction is not materially modiiied.

It further consists in the support of the take-up spool upon swinging arms which, when the apparatus is not in use, are adapted to be moved into such position that the project outside the piano casing. f

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is an elevation of a construction in which my invention is embodied in one form; Fig. 2 is a cross section on the line .2*2, Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a modified embodiment of my invention; Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are cross sections corresponding to Fig. 2, showing the parts in diiferent positions. j

In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the apparatus comprises a fixed roll box a adapted to be mounted in the front of the piano casing L and provided in its upper portion with an inwardly extending bay al. The note roll b is mounted on the bearings b1 of ordinary type and xed in permanent position in the opposite sides of the bay a1. A tracker c is mounted in fixed position at the angle between the bay al and the lower portion of the box which is quite shallow and thus affords ample room for the hammers z'. The take-up rolldis carried in bearings at the lower ends of a pair of swinging arms c, pivoted at e1 adjacent the tracker bar. A bridge piece e2 connects the free ends of the arms e and forms a stop which halts the gear Z1 on the spindle of the take-up roll Z in operative engagement with the pinion f, which may be driven by any suitable mechanism during the operation of the instrument. In playing position the note sheet g passes from the roll b to the take-up roll d across the face of the tracker c, in the usual manner. When the player mechanism is not in use, the roll o is removed from its bearings b1, as usual, and the take-up roll (l may then be swung up into the bay al, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. In this position it is not only protected against injury, but lies wholly within the contines of the casing h.

In the construction shown in Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive, the bearings for the note roll Z) are carried by a trame a2, mounted within the casing It and carrying at its lower portion a tracker c. Adjacent the tracker are the pivots e3 for the arms e4 between which the take-up roll Z is supported. A cross bar e5 unites the lower ends of the arms et and forms a cradle. In playing position Fig. Ll), the take-up roll bears against a roller la which serves to maintain the note sheet g at constant inclination to the tracker c. The drive of the take-up roll is secured through gearing operated from the shaft y' in substantially the same manner as the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Vhen the instrument is not in use the take-up roll is removed from its bearings in the arms c4 and substituted for the note roll b in the bearings for the latter in the frame a2. The cradle 6*, c5 may either be swung down to the position shown in Fig. 6, or swung up to the position shown in Fig. 5. In either case it lies within the casing L which may have a removable front panel /tl provided with a notch h2, registering with a tracker c and adapted to be fitted in position when the parts are thus arranged.

Various modifications in the details of the arrangement will readily suggest themselves and I do not limit my invention to those shown.

I claim as my invention 1. In a player piano a tracker in stationary position, fixed bearings for a note roll and a swinging cardle carrying bearings for the take-up roll, said cradle serving to hold the note sheet upon the tracker during the operation of the instrument but being movable to position wholly within the casing when the player mechanism is not in use, substantially as described.

2. In a player piano, a casing, a roll box tted in fixed position therein and having in its upper portion an inwardly extending bay, a xed tracker carried by said roll box and xed bearings therein for a music roll, in combination with a swinging cradle having bearings for a takeglvpmroll lname to this speoioation, in the presence and pivotally mounted with relation to said of two subscribing witnesses.

roll box so that it Ina be swun -into said inwardly extending blty when he player URBAIN DRYVERS' 5 mechanism is not in use, substantially as cle- Vtnesses:

scribed. REN SAROYE,

ln testimony whereof l have' signed my LEN PEILLET.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five n'tsfech, by addressing the Commissioner oflratets.

Washington, D. G. 

